12 Best Crossbody Bags for Travel That’ll Keep Your Hands Free and Your ‘Fits Chic

Can confirm: Quince’s budget-friendly travel accessories are just as good as their luxe, way-pricier designer counterparts. Made from recycled plastic bottles, this minimalist option is both sustainable and functional, boasting two separate zipper compartments, a foldover design, and a hidden back pocket to keep your phone easily accessible.This one is available in half a dozen color options and even comes with a dust bag for storage—and yep, you better believe that nylon fabric is ultra-durable and 100 percent water-repellent for worry-free rainy days.Dimensions: 8" x 11" x 4.7"Material:Recycled nylonWeight:1.06lbsListen, I know everyone is obsessed with the internet-famous lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag, but I personally think the micro version of the All Night Festival Bag (which has twice the capacity of the belt bag) deserves more hype. Featuring a foldover design and made with water-repellent fabric, this bb has all the perks you'd expect from an A+ travel crossbody—a secure front pocket! An easy-access exterior pocket! An adjustable strap!—without any of the bulk. And ofc, if you would like more than a two-liter capacity, you can always upgrade to the five-liter All Night Festival Bag.Dimensions:5.1" x 5.5" × 2"Material: Recycled nylonWeight:Not listedAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowFor starters, can we just acknowledge how shockingly expensive-looking this $14 Amazon crossbody is? It could easily pass for designer! But that’s hardly its only appeal. The size alone makes it pretty perfect for travel—you can fit the essentials, like sunglasses, wallet, and phone, but it’s still small enough to comfortably carry all day. It’s crafted from a high-quality faux leather material with a lightweight long strap and a metal lock buckle for extra security.Dimensions8.6" W x 5.1" H x 3.1" DMaterialPU materialWeight 18.14 gThis one’s for the parents who’ve been on a never-ending hunt for a crossbody that actually fits everything—because somehow, most bags just don’t cut it for you and your little one. It’s got smart, real-life features like a built-in wipe pocket and stroller strap compatibility to make those on-the-go moments way easier. And yes, there’s a spot for all the things—extra clothes, bottles, toys, snacks, plus your own essentials—so you’re not digging around in chaos.The adjustable strap lets you wear it your way, and the water-resistant material is so clutch for all the inevitable spills that come with baby life.Dimensions:15" x 9.5" x 6"Material:Recycled nylonWeight:1.15 lbsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowGoing straight from your afternoon walking tour to a Michelin-starred restaurant!? This is the bag for the occasion. The incredibly chic structured style screams sophisticated world traveler, so you’ll look the part for dinner out—even though you spent the day embracing your role as a tourist. And while the long strap is perfect for hands-free sightseeing, you can easily tuck it away and carry the bag by the top handle when it’s time to switch into evening mode.Dimensions7.75" W x 5.25" H x 2.75" D, MaterialFaux leather exterior and lining with silver-tone hardwareWeightn/aThis equestrian-inspired suede bag is proof that a functional, travel-appropriate crossbody bag doesn’t have to be boring. Everything about the design draws the eye—the dusty blue colorway, the curved asymmetrical silhouette, the D-ring shoulder strap. Personally, it was a love at first sight for me, and that’s before I even realized it came with the adjustable longer strap. That was just the cherry on top (and my excuse to hit add to cart for my own trip to Portugal!).Dimensions7.75"W x 7.75"H x 2"DMaterialSuede, leather, and polyesterWeight 0.62 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowI have never—in my 30 years of life and 7+ years as a shopping writer—come across an anti-theft bag that wasn’t totally hideous. Until now! This crescent-shaped shoulder bag, which conveniently converts into a crossbody, has RFID protect that prevents scammers from stealing your credit card information in crowds. It even comes with an anti-pickpocket clip to keep the rest of your belongings safe.Dimensions 7.9” x 9.5”MaterialSoft Vegan LeatherWeightn/aThe Coach Suede Tabby is basically two bags in one. While, of course, you can wear it as it comes—as a classic shoulder style—the design includes a removable long strap that transforms it into a practical crossbody style. Just think about how much space you’ll save in your suitcase. You can pack this bag and be done with it!Dimensions10" W x 6" H x 3" DMaterialSuede exterior with suede interior and gold-tone hardwareWeight n/aAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThis Lululemon style is less of a go-out-and-sightsee crossbody and more of a trusty airport carryall. It’s the bag you’ll bring on long train rides from one European city to the next, or how you’ll lug your essentials to the next Airbnb. It has an impressive amount of interior space without making it impossible to carry around, and the interchangeable straps and drawcord sides actually allow you to adjust the size to make it smaller or larger.Dimensions18.9" x 5.9" x 14.6" Material100% polyester, 100% nylon Weightn/aIf you hate carrying a bag around (or anything, really), you’re going to love this lightweight MZ Wallace crossbody that feels like air. It’s compact in size but with game-changing storage—including one exterior pocket and four interior ones for your cards, phone, and other small essentials. The perks don’t stop there. It has an adjustable (and super comfy!) nylon strap, and it's made from recycled, water-repellent Oxford nylon with a PFAS-free coating. What more could you need!?Dimensions9.1" W x 3.9" H x 3.3"Material REC Oxford, natural Italian leather trim, gunmetal hardware Weight 0.5 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you haven’t had the absolute pleasure of owning a Baggu before, allow me to introduce you to your new fave crossbody. The lightweight style is so easy to carry, but with a spacious design that carries way more than just your essentials. It has a zippered closure and two interior zippered pockets (pickpockets stand no chance), and an adjustable strap you can fit perfectly to your own frame. The TL;DR? It checks every box.Dimensions13.75" W x 8" H x 4" DMaterial100% recycled nylonWeightn/aThis AWAY crossbody has so many hidden pockets, you’ll never have to worry about your keys getting lost in the abyss (or a pickpocket snatching your wallet). You can zip away your essentials in the inside compartment that’s exactly passport-sized or conceal them in the strap pocket no one will ever know is there.Dimensions 13" W x 3.9" H x 11" DMaterialPolyester twill, polyester liningWeight 0.56 lbsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy is a crossbody bag useful for travel?Crossbodies have two big advantages over a traditional shoulder bag when you're traveling. First, a crossbody will keep your stuff more secure. When worn across your chest, it's way harder for them to slip off your shoulder or get snatched. Second, they keep you hands-free, which is very helpful for hiking, biking, shopping, and navigating the airport with all your other luggage.Can you wear a crossbody bag on a plane?Yes—and most airlines count crossbodies as a personal item, just like a tote or purse. But before you fly, double-check that yours doesn't exceed your airline's personal item dimensions, since limits vary. And keep in mind: even though a crossbody is small and worn on your body, it still counts toward your item limit—you can't technically wear it as a free third bag alongside your carry-on and personal item. However! If yours is compact enough, stash it inside your carry-on or personal item before boarding to stay on the safe side.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow to choose the best crossbody bag for travelWith so many different crossbody bags out there, you'll wanna make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck. Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking out your new go-to travel bag:Consider the materialsFirst, think about where you're headed before picking a material. For city trips or dressier itineraries, a leather crossbody is a great choice. But if your trip involves hiking, beach days, or anything outdoors, you might want to skip leather (full-grain leather is porous and can get ruined by an expected rain shower). Faux leather, however, is typically made from plastics like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which means it will hold up better against the elements. But if you want a bag that's water-repellent rather than just water-resistant (meaning water will bead off the surface instead of just holding up against light moisture), it's best to go with something extra-durable like nylon.Prioritize functionalityOf course, you want a bag that looks good in all your vacay photos—but that won't matter if your bag isn't optimized for travel. Consider a crossbody with useful travel features, such as interior compartments for easy organization, exterior pockets for quick-access items, and hidden interior pockets for valuables. And if theft is a concern, you should also prioritize features such as slash-resistant straps (which you can buy separately, btw) and built-in RFID protection (which can help prevent information theft).Evaluate the storage spaceThink about what you'll actually need to carry day-to-day on your trip. A crossbody should comfortably fit your essentials—phone, wallet, sunscreen, and maybe even a snack—without feeling cramped or overstuffed. If you tend to pack more, look for a bag with an expandable main compartment or one that's slightly oversized (but not bulky—you’ll be on the move!). And if you're someone who always has a water bottle on hand, check whether the bag has a dedicated spot for it or at least a compartment deep enough to hold one upright.Check out the strap lengthNobody wants a crossbody that's way too long—or worse, so short you can't wear it across your chest. Be sure to check both the maximum strap length as well as the strap drop (which is the vertical distance between the bag opening and the top of your shoulder where the strap sits) to make sure it'll be a good fit for your body.Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.